Salina City Commission Summary
Week of August 11, 2026
Commission honors city employee killed in mower accident
Ohio and Schilling intersection moved up in capital plan
City receives bids for major water main replacements
City addresses water quality concerns and testing
Funding approved for Schilling Air Force Base environmental testing
City to issue RFP for first comprehensive plan update in a decade
Vacant West Diamond Drive lot rezoned for commercial development
Virginia Drive right-of-way annexed for future extension
Commission prepares to appoint new member
Commission honors city employee killed in mower accident
SALINA, Kan. — The city commission held a moment of silence to honor a seasonal city employee who died in a tragic incident at Oakdale Park on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Mayor Michael L. Hoppock requested the tribute at the start of the regular meeting, asking the community to keep the employee's family, friends, coworkers and first responders in their thoughts. According to the Salina Fire Department, the employee was operating a zero-turn lawnmower that went into the river; the employee was extricated and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The city has not yet publicly released the employee's name.
Ohio and Schilling intersection moved up in capital plan
SALINA, Kan. — The Salina city commission agreed to reprioritize the city's five-year capital improvement plan during a budget study session, moving up the Ohio Street and Schilling Road intersection project to 2028. Citing traffic safety and visibility concerns, commissioners opted to delay an East Iron Avenue street repair project and a gateway signage project to 2031 to keep property tax requirements level. The capital plan is an ongoing working document that helps schedule major infrastructure projects without exceeding the city's current debt capacity limits.
City receives bids for major water main replacements
SALINA, Kan. — Bids for a major water main replacement project targeting Dover, Larson, 10th and 11th streets have been received, with the lowest bid coming in at just over $2 million. City Manager Jacob Wood announced that city staff are reviewing the four submitted bids, the highest of which was $3.7 million. Staff hopes to bring the contract to the commission for approval at the Aug. 24 meeting, with construction potentially beginning within 45 days.
City addresses water quality concerns and testing
SALINA, Kan. — Addressing ongoing community concerns over brown tap water, City Manager Jacob Wood announced the city will hire a third party to conduct water testing for residents applying for the newly implemented filter rebate program. Wood also clarified that while the city is surveying about 500 unknown service lines as required by the Environmental Protection Agency, the city has no known lead water mains. Additionally, engineering firm Black & Veatch is evaluating the downtown water treatment plant's use of chloramine and overall efficiency to recommend potential system upgrades.
Funding approved for Schilling Air Force Base environmental testing
SALINA, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved $367,636 in agreements for environmental testing at the former Schilling Air Force Base. The contracts with Dragun Corporation, an environmental testing firm, alongside ALS Global USA Corp. and Pace Analytical, will cover the 2026–2027 monitoring of groundwater, residential well water and indoor air across 19 buildings. The project is funded through a $69.4 million restricted account established from a previous Department of Justice settlement, keeping the cleanup entirely within the overall project budget.
City to issue RFP for first comprehensive plan update in a decade
SALINA, Kan. — Salina will soon seek bids to update its comprehensive plan and overhaul its zoning code, a process last completed between 2010 and 2012. City staff noted that recent development has routinely required amendments to the outdated land-use plan, and the current zoning code is confusing for both staff and the public to navigate. The update is expected to take up to a year and a half to complete and will involve extensive public input.
Vacant West Diamond Drive lot rezoned for commercial development
SALINA, Kan. — A 1.8-acre lot at 645 W. Diamond Drive that has sat vacant since 1974 will be rezoned from highway commercial (C-7) to service commercial (C-5) following unanimous commission approval. The applicant, representing Bobcat of Salina, requested the change to match adjacent properties and increase the site's viability for future development. The property already features utility access financed by a 2008 special benefit district.
Virginia Drive right-of-way annexed for future extension
SALINA, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved the annexation of 45,516 square feet of public street right-of-way to facilitate the future southward extension of Virginia Drive. The land, deeded to the city by developer Salina Destination Development, LLC, will allow the street to eventually connect with the planned Shenandoah Drive near the Magnolia Village residential development. The annexation involves no immediate fiscal impact, as street maintenance will only begin once construction is completed and accepted by the city.
Commission prepares to appoint new member
SALINA, Kan. — The city will officially select a new city commissioner at its Aug. 24 meeting. City Manager Jacob Wood confirmed that expressions of interest for the vacant seat have closed, and the names of the applicants will be made public prior to the next meeting. The selected candidate will step in to fill the fifth seat on the commission left vacant by the resignation of former Vice Mayor and Commissioner Jerry Ivey II, who stepped down in July to focus on his family.
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